Solar Impulse Takes Off In The Dark From Mandalay To China

Early this morning, Solar Impulse took off form Mandalay and headed towards China after more than a week spent waiting in Myanmar for weather conditions to improve for flight. Expected to be one of the most difficult legs of the aeroplane's round-the-world journey, this part of the trip will see cabin temperatures drop to -20C as the aircraft passes over the mountains in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan.

At points, pilot Bertrand Piccard will have to use additional oxygen in the unpressurised craft. The route, which should see the aeroplane travel around 1300km, should take around 18 hours. [Solar Impulse, PhysOrg]